QUETTA, APR 23: /DNA/ – USA Ambassador Donald Blome inaugurated the new Police Training College campus in Quetta, a four-year, $5.35 million dollar partnership funded by the U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section.  

The seven new and four renovated buildings not only triple the Police Training College’s capacity, but they also ensure new recruits and officers will receive the high-quality, skills-based training they need to deploy in some of Pakistan’s most challenging areas.  With the completion of this new facility, the men and women trained at PTC Quetta will be far better prepared than their predecessors to address the tremendous risks and challenges they face every day in the line of duty.  In addition, we have scheduled delivery of $900,000 worth of radio communication equipment and 35 mine detectors, and recently provided $700,000 worth of vehicles and $195,000 worth of blast suppression equipment, all of which will greatly enhance operations and security across the province.

Beyond this training center, we have helped Pakistan secure its borders, fight narcotics trafficking, and combat terrorism. INL has provided lifesaving protective equipment, improved law enforcement training curriculum, built and upgraded police stations, and helped ensure gender-inclusive policing.  Taken together, these actions make Pakistan safer, stronger, and more secure.

I want to recognize the special effort to recruit more women police, create gender desks in police stations, and increase facilities to serve women and underserved communities.  Last year, Balochistan Police officer Zarghoona Manzoor was recognized for a worldwide leadership award at an international conference for women police.  Zarghoona, formerly a stay-at-home mother, joined the force after her husband was killed serving in the Balochistan Police.  She now leads Balochistan’s first women’s police station.  Women officers like Zarghoona improve the entire force’s operational effectiveness and efficiency and enhance the quality of service offered to all Pakistanis, especially those from underrepresented communities.  I am impressed by Balochistan’s success in attracting almost 20 percent women in a recent recruiting drive, and the number of policewomen in service has doubled since 2022.  PTC-Quetta’s new facilities for women police recruits will enable further progress toward realizing this vision.  Inspector General, I commend your personal leadership in this area.

I would be remiss if I did not highlight that our partnership extends beyond security cooperation.  We are committed to working with Pakistan to address the economic, environmental, and energy challenges of our time.  INL-funded the solarization of seven of PTC Quetta’s buildings, as well as the solar-powered lights on walkways inside campus, and on the campus’ boundary wall, which align with our broader efforts through the U.S.-Pakistan Green Alliance Framework to promote clean, renewable energy and climate resilience.  

In closing, I would underscore that all the work our countries do together – on trade, investment, clean energy, education, and climate change – is predicated on a solid foundation of security and rule of law.  We are proud of this partnership.  It is making demonstrable progress in strengthening Pakistan’s ability to protect and secure its borders and provide safety and security for its citizens.  And we will continue to stand with you as you work to further strengthen community policing that provides the security environment needed to ensure peace, progress, and prosperity for the Pakistani people.